1H NMR and NOE studies of 6α-bromopenicillanates

The¹H NMR signals of three 6α-bromopenicillanates have been assigned and the Nuclear Overhauser Effect(NOE) study of these compounds was undertaken.

     

Serum IgE Levels in Adults with Asthma

Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) was measured in 88 normal adults and 100 adults with asthma using Phadebas IgE PRIST kits. The geometric mean IgE in our normal subjects was found to be higher than that reported by some investigators but was similar to or lower than that reported by others without showing any geographic pattern. It increased progressively from 92 kU/L in normal controls through 205 kU/L in cases of asthma with low atopic scores to 464 kU/L in asthma cases with high atopic scores. There was wide variation in IgE levels among individuals, making it difficult to use it to classify any subject into one of these groups. However, as a group, female asthmatics had lower mean IgE levels (182 kU/L) than did men (577 kU/L), and a higher proportion of them had low atopic scores (60% of the women versus 47% of the men). This suggests that probably more women had intrinsic asthma, while extrinsic asthma was more common among men in the population studied.     

Immunomodulatory vitamin D effects on regulatory T-cells and cytokines in an in vitro study on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting various organs. Decreased numbers of regulatory T-cells (Treg cells; CD4⁺CD25^highFoxp3⁺) are associated with the pathogenesis of SLE. A vitamin D deficiency was observed in many lupus patients. In the present study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and cultured in the presence or absence of vitamin D, and total Tregs percentage was analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, the level of expressions of Foxp3, TGFβ, and IL6 genes were analyzed by real-time-PCR. The results indicated that vitamin D treatment increased the percentage of Treg cells, and the expression of Foxp3 and TGFβ, and decreased the expression of IL6 in SLE patients.     

A new method for skin grafting in murine model

Skin transplantation provides an excellent potential model to investigate the immunology of allograft rejection and tolerance induction. Despite the theoretical ease of performing skin transplantation, as well as the potential of directly observing the reaction to the transplanted tissue, the poor reliability of skin transplantation in the mouse has largely precluded the use of this model. Furthermore, there is controversy regarding the most appropriate skin graft donor site due to poor success of back skin transplantation, as compared with the thinner ear or tail skin. This study demonstrates a reliable method to successfully perform skin grafts in a mouse model, as well as the clinical and histologic outcome of syngeneic grafts. A total of 287 grafts were performed (in 126 mice) utilizing donor skin from the ear, tail or back. No graft failure or postoperative mortality was observed. Comparison of this technique with two previously established protocols of skin transplantation (5.0 absorbable Suture + tissue glue technique and no‐suture technique) demonstrates the significant improvement in the engraftment success of the new technique. In summary, a new technique for murine skin grafting demonstrates improved reliability across donor site locations and strains, increasing the potential for investigating interventions to alter the rejection process.     

Efficacy of Nanostructures as Preservation Carriers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus atrophaeus</Emphasis> in the Preparation of Sterilization Bioindicators

Purpose

The spores of Bacillus atrophaeus are used to monitor the efficacy of disinfection and sterilization processes, particularly in dry heat and ethylene oxide sterilization processes. The production process of biological sterilization indicators of this bacterium includes bacterial sporulation, which leads to a dormant structure with extreme resistance to heat stresses.

Methods

In this study, the efficacy of the application of nanomaterials as alternative carriers instead of regular paper strips in the recovery of spores and the stability of the prepared bioindicator was investigated. For this purpose, the structural types of nanomaterials applied as carriers on D values and spore absorption were evaluated and compared.

Results

The results suggest the nanomaterial’s potential to be used as the supports of bioindicators. Among the evaluated nanomaterials adsorbents, including nanocellulose, lignocellulose, chitin, gamma alumina and silica, silica and gamma alumina illustrated the highest spore absorption potency (10⁷ CFU/mL) and highest spore resistance by the D value of 6.5 min.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that nanomaterials can be a suitable replacement for conventional strips due to their higher perdurability.

     

Identification of novel BRCA founder mutations in Middle Eastern breast cancer patients using capture and Sanger sequencing analysis

Ethnic differences of breast cancer genomics have prompted us to investigate the spectra of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in different populations. The prevalence and effect of BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations in Middle Eastern population is not fully explored. To characterize the prevalence of BRCA mutations in Middle Eastern breast cancer patients, BRCA mutation screening was performed in 818 unselected breast cancer patients using Capture and/or Sanger sequencing. 19 short tandem repeat (STR) markers were used for founder mutation analysis. In our study, nine different types of deleterious mutation were identified in 28 (3.4%) cases, 25 (89.3%) cases in BRCA 1 and 3 (10.7%) cases in BRCA 2. Seven recurrent mutations identified accounted for 92.9% (26/28) of all the mutant cases. Haplotype analysis was performed to confirm c.1140 dupG and c.4136_4137delCT mutations as novel putative founder mutation, accounting for 46.4% (13/28) of all BRCA mutant cases and 1.6% (13/818) of all the breast cancer cases, respectively. Moreover, BRCA 1 mutation was significantly associated with BRCA 1 protein expression loss (p = 0.0005). Our finding revealed that a substantial number of BRCA mutations were identified in clinically high risk breast cancer from Middle East region. Identification of the mutation spectrum, prevalence and founder effect in Middle Eastern population facilitates genetic counseling, risk assessment and development of cost‐effective screening strategy.     

Prolongation of AV nodal refractoriness by Ruta graveolens in isolated rat hearts. Potential role as an anti-arrhythmic agent

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate concentration-dependent effects of total extract of Ruta graveolens and its purified alkaloid fraction on the nodal basic and functional properties. METHODS: In the present experimental study, we used the Langendorff model for perfusion of isolated rat hearts to determine the effects of various concentrations of methanolic extract of Rue (1.25 x 10(-6) % weight per volume percent [W/V]; 2.5 x 10(-6) % W/V; 3.75 x 10(-6) % W/V) and total alkaloid of Rue (0.25 x 10(-6) % W/V; 0.5 x 10(-6) % W/V) on electrophysiological properties of cardiac tissue. Selective stimulation protocols were used to independently quantify atrioventricular AV nodal recovery, facilitation, and fatigue. We used 3 groups (N=24) of isolated perfused rat AV nodal preparations to assess the effect of Rue extracts. The study was carried out in October 2006 in the electrophysiology laboratory of the Cardiovascular Research Center of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan, Gorgan, Iran. RESULTS: Our results showed that both the total plant extract and the alkaloid fraction of Ruta graveolens had a similar trend of action on nodal conduction time and refractoriness. Furthermore, we observed increased atrioventricular conduction time (83+/-4 to 108+/-5) msec and functional refractory period (157.6+/-3 to 163.7+/-4 msec) at a maximum concentration of 3.75 x 10(-6) % W/V. CONCLUSION: The above results indicated a potential antiarrhythmic effect of Ruta graveolens in treating supra ventricular tachyarrhythmia.